Improvement in traction-engines



F. H. RIGHARDS.

Traction-Engines.

Patented April 28, 187 4.

Inventor.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRACTION-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150,356, dated April 28, 1874; application filed J anuary 26, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traction- Engines; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which represent, besides the vehicle C, boiler A, and wheels B, only such parts of a complete machine as are comprised in the present invention.

This invention is designed as a substitute for the horse, and may be constructed of such proportions and in combination with such other devices as shall make its use feasiblein nearly all situations and conditions.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved engine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation and partial section mostly in the plane of line i i, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same.

C represents a vehicle, or foot-board, as the case may be 5 B, wheels, and A some suitable form of steam-boiler. For most purposes the locomotive type is deemed best, but for steam fire-engines, street-cars, and similar uses the upright form will be preferable. H is a frame,

built out upon the front of boiler A, supportedupon the flange a, of the cylinder-casting F, and in which the said casting F is made to revolve, either in one direction or the other, for the purpose of guiding the machine, as the case may require.- The cylinder-casting F I prefer making in one piece, but it may be made in separate pieces, bolted together. It has three cylinders, in which are pistons I I I, a flange, a, on which the frame H rests,

and is provided at the top with a steam'chest, J, in which valves are to be placed and operated by suitable connection with some part of the moving mechanism. Upon the under side of the flange a bearings 42 are provided for the crank-shaft E, which has three cranks, T 'T T., and these are connected to the pistons I I I by the upper portions of the legs D D Dill I My invention consists chiefly of three engines, that in the present instance are of the style known as trunk-engines, connected to one crank-shaft, the connecting-rods of the same being prolonged below the shaft, and terminating infect provided with calks, as shown, for the purpose of obtaining traction and imitating the motion of a horses foot, which is thus accomplished. in a very simple and effective manner. When it is for any reason deemed necessary, these engines may be of the style known as half-trunk engines and double-acting, or by building a suitable frame-work the cylinders may be of the usual double-actin g style, and placed higher up, the legs being connected to their cross-heads instead of the pistons, as in the present instance.

I do not claim the leg D, in combination with, and operated by, the crank T, as a mechanical movement, that being old; but

I claim- 1. The combination of the leg D and crank T, with the piston I, constructed to operate substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The shaft E, having cranks T, constructed in one and the same shaft, said cranks T being each provided withza leg, D, all combined to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the frame F, legs I), pistons I, crank-shaft E, and bearings n, with frame H, as and for the purpose set forth.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

WVitnesses Y E. L. Goonwnv, HUBERT P. RICHARDS, L. P. Smmunns. 

